Environmental Test Engineer Salary in the United States

How much does an Environmental Test Engineer make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Environmental Test Engineer in the United States is $95,066 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $46.

However, an Environmental Test Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $104,359
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $88,116 to $99,930
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $81,790

Key Factors That Influence Environmental Test Engineer Salaries

An Environmental Test Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Environmental Test Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Environmental Test Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $80,686
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $95,548
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $116,938
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $142,662
  • Expert (over 8 years): $161,853
Levels Salary
Embedded ... Level Environmental Test Engineer$80,686
Environme... Level Environmental Test Engineer$95,548
Embedded ... Level Environmental Test Engineer$116,938
Embedded ... Level Environmental Test Engineer$142,662
Embedded ... Level Environmental Test Engineer$161,853

How Do Environmental Test Engineer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Environmental Test Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $105,257.
  • California: $104,857.
  • Massachusetts: $103,460.

Top Paying Cities for Environmental Test Engineers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $119,906
  • San Francisco: $118,593
  • Oakland: $116,094

What Skills Can Increase an Environmental Test Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 2.68% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Computer Engineering (Mentioned in 3.83% Job Postings): Computer engineering is a branch of electrical engineering that integrates several fields of computer science and electronic engineering required to develop computer hardware and software.
  • Algorithms (Mentioned in 2.74% Job Postings): Algorithms act as an exact list of instructions that conduct specified actions step by step in either hardware- or software-based routines.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 2.68%
Computer Engineering 3.83%
Algorithms 2.74%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Environmental Test Engineer's salary.

  • Solution Design: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Android: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Written English: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Solution Design $102,671
8%
Android $101,720
7%
Written English $99,819
5%

Environmental Test Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Environmental Test Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Environmental Test Engineer positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Environmental Test Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Environmental Test Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$114,079$55.020%
Biotechnology$109,325$53.015%
Financial Services$109,325$53.015%
Internet$106,473$51.012%
Energy & Utilities$104,572$50.010%

Environmental Test Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Environmental Test Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$88,116
Average $95,066/year
$99,930
$7,343
Average $7,922/month
$8,328
$1,695
Average $1,828/week
$1,922
$42
Average $46/hour
$48
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $99,930 $8,328 $1,922 $48
Average $95,066 $7,922 $1,828 $46
25th Percentile $88,116 $7,343 $1,695 $42

Most common benefits for Environmental Test Engineer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Environmental Test Engineer

Here are companies hiring for Environmental Test Engineer and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Environmental Test Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Environmental Test Engineer?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Environmental Test Engineer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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